Public Whip Count

January 21, 2008

Mr. Gay International needs a recount

Posted by: Chris

It's a small gay world, or so they say, and I would agree with "them" today. I had to shake my head when I read just now that Mr. Argentina, Carlos Fabian Melia, was selected "Mr. Gay International" in Hollywood last night.

(That's Miela in the photo on the far right, next to Luciano Lupo, the gorgeous Brazilian named the pageant's most popular contestant. I'm really not sure the difference between most popular and the winner -- perhaps it was the sand-castle construction competition. I'm not making this up.)

Anyway, I happen to know both Miela and his booted Argentinian predecessor, Jorge Schmeda. (That's Jorge at the right.) Both were regulars at our gym in Buenos Aires and out in the bars as well. Jorge, for what it's worth, couldn't be nicer, always smiling and friendly. Carlos, on the other hand, runs a local gay travel agency and as such you would imagine would be friendly and outgoing. In fact, was the singularly least friendly person we met in our three months in Buenos Aires.

It's funny because I never even connected Jorge or Miela as the guys from our gym until I saw photos from the contest posted online. But this is the guy -- and you all probably know one -- whose nose is so far in the air that even a casual "hola" or smiled acknowledgment never goes returned.

Of course the entire notion of a "Mr. Gay International" contest is about as silly -- actually much sillier -- than mainstream beauty pageants that thankfully are finally falling out of favor with the general public. Bu this particular pageant just goes to show you that beauty really can be only skin deep…

Comments

Well it sure does go to show you.... It costs nothing to be cordial to others around you, but you can end up paying heavily "on what little reputation you may have" when you aren't nice, especially when you PO a savy blogger named Chris Crain...Hopefully Carlos (and his self esteem issue)are an exemption to the rule of latin men in Argentina...

First I don’t know either Carlos or Jorge - but I do know I do know the US Representative to the International Mr. Gay Competition very well (he used to be my roommate).

Josh is an absolutely amazing guy who devotes much of his life working for all kinds of charities mostly with the gay community. He has also managed to get me involved with some political issues and with lobbying and rallying for LGBT issues and civil rights. I can see how the idea of a Gay Competition might not do it for you - but give the guys some credit for trying something outside the box. In the end anything we can do to advance our cause is a positive thing. Far too many sit back and complain rather then trying to affect a change.

PS-I asked Josh why Jorge was disqualified. Truth be told he wasn’t - Jorge opted out to do a porn in SF that weekend. He decided to make some instead of representing his country and fighting for civil rights… but we all have to pay the bills, right?

As the Executive Producer of the International Mr. Gay Competition and president of the charity that benefits from the event series, the Noble Beast Foundation, I wanted to respond to your blog - even though this is such old news (I just opened a note about your comments today after a post-event holiday).

First, Jorge - the original Argentine Delegate - was not rejected by our organization. He withdrew and did not provide a reason. We happily accepted him as the Delegate and his celebrity as a porn star helped our web traffic considerably. Carlos Melia was gracious enough to replace Jorge as the Argentine Delegate position on fairly short notice - and we are lucky that he did.

After getting to know Carlos through the four days on indoor/outdoor activities designed to test the Delegates, it was clear to our judge's panel that he would be a very strong Ambassador who can support our mission. He is an accomplished businessman as well as a very handsome guy - so that helps gain the press we seek to get our message out to the non-gay press.

A quick look at our organization typically gives one the impression that the 'beauty pageant' is our business model. It takes much more time to read our mission statement and understand the deeper values that we provide in our on-going effort to confront the 'gay stereotype' the press uses to define all of us. It is a much more subtle form of activism more appropriate for today's more refined homophobia.

I sat next to Carlos on a flight from BA to NYC last Jan. He was polite and enjoyed talking about himself. Considering how georgous he is , I was happy to just sit and listen . Its not fair to pass judgement on his attitude when every gay guy on the planet tries hitting on him.

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